There is a visitation scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 2, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Ertel Chapel.

Eileen was born May 29, 1939, in Yellow Jacket, the daughter of Edgar H. and Etha I. (Crawford) Gilliland. She passed away gently in her sleep the evening of Christmas Eve at the age 73.

Eileen graduated from MCHS in May of 1957. She married the love of her life Raymond T. "Pat" Patterson on July 28, 1957; they enjoyed 55 years of marriage. Their union was blessed by two daughters, Etha Raylene (Art) Osborne and Elizabeth Eileen (Jim) York. They began their marriage living in Cortez, moving to Durango and Fort Collins, where Ray attended college.

The family lived in Ely, Nev. where Eileen was very active in charity work. She enjoyed many years of service in the hospital where she found true joy. She achieved the office of State Vice President and worked very hard to promote education. In 1972, Eileen was selected as one of the "Woman of the Year" in the state of Nevada.

In 1973 she and her family moved to the Denver area where she attended and obtained her Medical Assistants degree. Eileen also worked as an administrative assistant for the Adolph Coors Company. In 1978 the family relocated to Canon City, Colo. where Eileen owned "The Diet Center." At the Diet Center, Eileen met many wonderful friends who remained very dear to her the rest of her life. If one would have asked what her true calling or career was, she would have replied that the most important work she did was that of being a wife and mother to her family.

Eileen enjoyed many hobbies, including sewing, knitting, crocheting and various needlework projects and was an avid doll collector. She was a very talented cake decorator and decorated many wedding cakes; she always made wonderful cakes for her daughters' birthdays. Many people will recall that she was an exceptionally good cook.

In 1999, Ray and Eileen retired, whereupon in the year 2000 they realized a lifelong dream of moving back to the family farm in Yellow Jacket where she resided until her death.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Leroy Gilliland; her daughter, Raylene; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Eileen was also preceded in death by her best friend of 46 years, Bobbie West of Winnemucca, Nev.

Memorial contributions can be made in memory of Eileen Patterson with Hope's Kitchen, c/o Cortez First United Methodist Church, PO Box 1016, Cortez, CO 81321. Services are under the direction of Ertel Funeral Home. For further information or to send condolences, log on to www.ertelfuneralhome.com and click on the obituary section.